Method and apparatus for sla profiling in process model implementation

ABSTRACT

A method and system memory to store a logical process model defining a logically structured series of process activities in a process, and Service Level Agreement (SLA) profile information defining a pre-defined plurality of SLA profiles which are potentially applicable to respective process instances. Each SLA profile comprises at least one performance metric with respect to the process and/or at least one of the process activities. A rules engine queries case data with respect to a particular process instance, and automatically determines an applicable SLA profile based on the case data. The applicable SLA profile is then applied to the particular process instance, and may be altered during performance of the process instance in response to case data changes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document pertains generally to the application ofservice-level agreements (SLAs) to processes, and more particularly, butnot by way of limitation, to methods and apparatuses for SLA profilingin process model implementation.

BACKGROUND

Managed processes, for example to deliver products or services, aresometimes subject to defined performance goals or SLAs that may defineparticular metrics, such as cost or time efficiency, which are to besatisfied in the performance of respective instances of the process.

The management of processes subject to SLAs may be facilitated byprocess modeling or process mapping. A process model generally comprisesstructured information about at least the sequence and relationship ofrespective activities constituting a process or processes. Some processmodels may additionally define relationships of such process activitiesto other process elements or components, such as information technology(IT) systems, human resources, and the like. In certain embodiments, abusiness process model may therefore be part of a larger encompassingenterprise model. A process model may also be used to generate agraphical representation of process information. Visual modelinglanguages used to represent processes include Business Process ModelingNotation (BPMN) and the Event-driven Process Chain (EPC).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a process management systeminterfaced with an enterprise system, in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of process management application(s)forming part of the example process analysis system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a data structure of information used byprocess management applications according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a high-level schematic diagram of another example system formanaging a process.

FIG. 5 is a high-level view of a value chain forming part of a processmodel according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an example of a logical process model comprising a sequence ofprocess activities.

FIGS. 7A and 7B is a schematic flow chart illustrating an exampleembodiment of a method of managing a process to provide SLA profiledifferentiation or SLA profiling in a common logical process model.

FIG. 8 is another example embodiment of logical process modelinformation mapping a sequence of process activities constituting aprocess.

FIG. 9 is a high-level flow chart of an example method of providing SLAprofile differentiation or SLA profiling in the management of a process.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system within which a set of instructions for causingthe machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussedherein may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems for SLA profiling in process modelimplementation are described. In the following description, for purposesof explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will beevident, however, to one skilled in the art that the methods and systemsaccording to the present disclosure may be practiced without thesespecific details.

According to an example embodiment, there is provided a system and amethod to provide SLA profiling, or SLA differentiation, inimplementation of a process. The system may comprise at least one memoryto store: a logical process model defining a logically structured seriesof process activities in a process; and SLA profile information defininga predefined plurality of SLA profiles which are potentially applicableto respective process instances of the process defined by the logicalprocess model, each SLA profile comprising at least one performancemetric with respect to the process and/or at least one of the processactivities.

The term “process” as used herein comprises a series of activities toproduce a product or to perform a service, and is to be interpretedbroadly as including a process group, a sub-process, or any collectionof processes. Therefore, the totality of activities and/or processeswhich may be performed in an enterprise may also be referred to as aprocess. In instances where the process model information is thereforewith respect to an enterprise, such as a business enterprise, theprocess model information may thus be in the form of an enterprisemodel. As used herein, the terms “logical process model” and “logicalprocess model information” are employed interchangeably to refer to alogically structured series of process activities in a process.

The system may further comprise a rules engine to query case data withrespect to a particular process instance, and automatically to determinean applicable SLA profile for the particular process instance based atleast in part on the case data, the applicable SLA profile beingselected from the predefined plurality of SLA profiles. The system mayalso comprise a computer including an SLA profile module to apply theapplicable SLA profile to the process instance.

The at least one performance metric may comprise time periods or timegoals that define a time within which a process activity or process isto be completed. Instead, or in addition, the at least one performancemetric may comprise target maximum costs, product/service quality goals,and the like. The at least one performance metric of each SLA profilemay comprise activity performance metrics that respectively define ametric applicable to individual process activities or subgroupings ofprocess activities, and/or an overall performance metric that defines ametric applicable to the process as a whole.

Application of the applicable SLA profile to the process instance maycomprise automatically associating at least one performance metric withthe particular process instance and/or with respective processactivities of the particular process instance. The application of theapplicable SLA profile to the particular process instance may thus, inone embodiment, comprise automatically associating with at least someprocess activities selected from the logical process model respectiveactivity performance metrics corresponding to the applicable SLAprofile, the logical process model being common to the predefinedplurality of SLA profiles in that the at least some process activitiesare selected from the common logical process model irrespective of whichone of the predefined plurality of SLA profiles is determined to be theapplicable SLA profile. The application of different SLA profiles to acommon logical process model for different instances of the process isto be distinguished from the selection of different logical processmodels based on determination of different applicable SLA profiles. EachSLA profile may, in such instances, comprise a plurality of activityperformance metrics associated with respective process activitiesselected from the common logical process model.

Instead of, or in addition to, associating respective activityperformance metrics with at least some process activities, applicationof the applicable SLA profile to the process instance may compriseassociating an overall performance metric with the process instance. Insuch embodiments, each SLA profile may comprise an overall performancemetric with respect to performance of the entirety of the processinstances.

In some embodiments, the SLA profile module may be configured to selectfrom the common logical process model, based on the applicable SLAprofile, a subset of process activities which are to be performed in theexecution of the process instance. Different instances of the processmay thus comprise different sequences of process activities and/ordifferent subsets of process activities selected from the common logicalprocess model, depending on the applicable SLA profiles of therespective process instances. Each SLA profile may comprise a set ofprocess activity identifiers and associated activity performancemetrics, each process activity identifier serving to identify thoseprocess activities which are members of the subset of process activitiesthat are to be performed in the execution of process instances to whichthe SLA profile is applied. The set of process activity identifiers forat least some SLA profiles may comprise process activity identifiers forall of the process activities of the common logical process model.Instead, or in addition, the set of process activity identifiers for oneor more SLA profiles may comprise process activity identifiers for asubset of the common logical process model.

Instead, or in addition, the SLA profile information may comprisemetadata associated with process activities forming part of the logicalprocess model, to indicate at least one SLA profile that is associatedwith respective process activities. Such metadata may be stored as partof the logical process model. At least some process activities of thelogical process model may thus have associated therewith metadataidentifying at least one SLA profile that applies to that processactivity. Metadata associated with at least one process activity mayindicate a plurality of SLA profiles with which the at least one processactivity is associated.

The case data on which initial determination of the applicable SLAprofile is determined may change during performance or execution of theparticular process instance, potentially resulting in a different SLAprofile being applicable to the particular process instance based on theupdated case data. The system may comprise an SLA update module to applya different SLA profile to the particular process instance duringperformance of the particular process instance, subsequent to initialapplication of the applicable SLA profile to the particular processinstance. In some embodiments, the SLA update module may be configuredto automatically associate with one or more remaining process activitiesrespective activity performance metrics corresponding to the differentSLA profile.

The SLA update module may be configured to automatically determine, inresponse to a change in the case data for the particular processinstance, that an SLA profile other than the previously determinedapplicable SLA profile is applicable to the particular process instance,and automatically to apply the different SLA profile to the particularprocess instance. Thus, for example, if the applicable SLA profile isdetermined based on a particular variable, such as a relevant entity'sincome, and the variable exceeds a threshold during performance of theparticular process instance, the SLA update module may automaticallychange the effect of the applicable SLA profile. The SLA update modulemay thus monitor one or more memories or databases storing the case dataupon which applicable SLA determination is based. Instead, or inaddition, the SLA update module may be configured to receive user inputindicating a desired change in SLA profile, and to apply the differentSLA profile to the particular process instance in response to the userinput, thus providing for manual or selective SLA profile update orchange.

In some embodiments, the logical process model may form part of processmodel information. In such cases, the process model information maycomprise the logical process model together with operationalization dataregarding various components required for operationalization of theprocess and on which process activities may be dependent. The logicalprocess model may include a sequence in which activities of the processare performed; rules determining subsequent activities to be performed;key performance indicators (KPIs); and the like. The operationalizationdata may include human resource roles for performing respectiveactivities; IT systems supporting respective activities; data dependencyinformation regarding respective activities; physical infrastructureassociated with respective activities, such as vehicles, machinery, andthe like; and other elements associated with the process. Enterpriseelements or process elements modeled in such operationalization data mayinclude a value chain, business domains/sub-domains, businessfunctions/sub-functions, processes, activities, information/data, ITapplications, IT hardware, human resources, physical assets, and anyother elements relevant to the enterprise. It is to be appreciated thatthe term “logical process model” refers to the depiction, specification,or mapping of a series of activities of an associated process, excludingprocess operationalization elements, e.g., IT system components, humanresource information, and data dependency information.

Architecture

An example embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 1,which shows a network diagram depicting a client-server system 100,within which one example embodiment may be deployed. A networked processmanagement system 102 in the example form of a dynamic process modelingsystem, provides server-side functionality, via a network 104 (e.g., theInternet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), or a Local Area Network (LAN), toone or more clients. FIG. 1 illustrates, for example, a web client 106(e.g., a browser, such as the Internet Explorer browser developed byMicrosoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. State), and a programmaticclient 108 executing on respective client machines 110 and 112.

An Application Program Interface (API) server 114 and a web server 116are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectivelyto, one or more application servers 118. The application servers 118host one or more process management application(s) 120 (see FIG. 2), theprocess management application(s) 120 being, in this example, enterprisemodel applications. The application server(s) 118 are, in turn, shown tobe coupled to one or more databases server(s) 124 that facilitate accessto one or more database(s) 126. The database(s) 126 may thus compriseone or more memories in which process model information, SLA profileinformation, and the like may be stored for access by the processmanagement application(s) 120.

The system 102 is also in communication with a process system whichsupports a process which is to be modeled by the process managementapplication(s) 120 (e.g., business process models (BPM)). In the exampleembodiment, the process system is a client enterprise system, generallyindicated by reference numeral 140 and herein referred to as “businesssystem”, which supports a business enterprise. The system 102 of theexample embodiment of FIG. 1 may therefore be an enterprise modelsystem. The process management application(s) 120 may be incommunication with components of an IT system of the enterprise, inparticular being in communication with a number of process servers 142,144 forming part of the IT infrastructure of the business system 140.Each of the process servers 142, 144 supports one or more processapplications 146, 148, each process application 146, 148 providingfunctionalities employed in the performance of an associated activity orprocess supported by the business system 140. Each process server 142,144 may be in communication with one or more associated database(s) orprocess database(s) 150, 152, to read and/or write associated processdata to the respective process datastore(s) 150, 152.

For example, process application 146 may be an accounting application,the process data in the associated process datastore(s) 150 comprisingclient account information, while process server 144 may be a casemanagement application, the process data in the associated processdatastore(s) 152 comprising records of respective cases processed by thebusiness system 140. It will be appreciated that the business system 140may typically comprise a greater number of process servers 142, 144 andprocess datastores 150, 152, but FIG. 1 shows only two such processservers 142, 144, for ease of explanation. It is further to beappreciated that communication and interfacing between respectiveprocess servers 142, 144 may occur via the network 104, while some ofthe process servers 142, 144 may be in direct communication.

The web client 106 accesses the process management application(s) 120via the web interface supported by the web server 116. Similarly, theprogrammatic client 108 accesses the various services and functionsprovided by the process management application(s) 120 via theprogrammatic interface provided by the API server 114.

The process management application(s) 120 may provide a number offunctions and services to users that access the process managementsystem 102, for example providing analytics, diagnostic, predictive andmanagement functionality relating to system architecture, processes, andthe activities of the enterprise supported by the business system 140,as well as providing process management functionalities, such asworkflow applications. Respective modules for providing thesefunctionalities are discussed in further detail with reference to FIG. 2below. While all of the functional modules, and therefore all of theprocess management application(s) 120 are shown in FIG. 1 to form partof the process management system 102, it will be appreciated that, inalternative embodiments, some of the functional modules or processmanagement applications 120 may form part of systems that are separateand distinct from the process management system 102.

Further, while the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 employs a client-serverarchitecture, the example embodiments are of course not limited to suchan architecture, and could equally well find application in adistributed, or peer-to-peer, architecture system, for example. Theprocess management application(s) 120 could also be implemented asstandalone software programs, which do not necessarily have networkingcapabilities.

Process Management Application(s)

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating multiple functional modules ofthe process management application(s) 120 of process management system102 shown in FIG. 1. Although the example modules are illustrated asforming part of a single application, it will be appreciated that themodules may be provided by a plurality of applications The modules ofthe application(s) 120 may be hosted on dedicated or shared servermachines (not shown) that are communicatively coupled to enablecommunications between server machines. The modules themselves arecommunicatively coupled (e.g., via appropriate interfaces) to each otherand to various data sources, so as to allow information to be passedbetween the modules or so as to allow the modules to share and accesscommon data. The modules of the application(s) 120 may furthermoreaccess the one or more databases 126 via the database servers 128 (FIG.1).

The process management system 102 may therefore provide a number ofmodules whereby a user may build or define a process model(s) orenterprise model for the business system 140, monitor the execution ofactivities forming part of the process, and perform automated diagnosticor predictive analysis of the process model. To this end, the processmanagement application(s) 120 is shown to include at least one defaultprocess model module 216 to provide default process models. In instanceswhere the process model is in respect to a business enterprise, thedefault process model module 216 may provide default business processmodels (BPM) which are to serve as bases for a user to define a businessprocess model specific to the business system 140. The default BPM's maybe predefined by a supplier of the business process managementapplication(s) 120 and are in respect to generic business processesrelating to a variety of types of businesses or types of businessactivities. A user may thus, as a starting point for defining anenterprise-specific BPM, select one or more default process models whichmost closely approximate the business processes performed by thebusiness system 140. The default process model module 216 may typicallyprovide default logical process models indicating a series ofactivities, without specific operationalization information indicatingparticular process elements or support elements on which the activitiesare dependent.

A model building/editing module 204 is provided to enable a user oradministrator to define an enterprise-specific process model, either byediting, adapting, or building on a selected default enterprise model,or by building an enterprise model from scratch. The modelbuilding/editing module 204 also enables the editing of the enterprisemodel in response to changes in the business system 140 or theassociated processes. As mentioned above, such an enterprise model is aprocess model which may represent sequences and relationships ofbusiness processes, business process activities, as well asrelationships of such business process activities to the informationtechnology (IT) infrastructure, process applications 146, 148, andprocess data. An example enterprise model is described in greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 5-6 below.

The process management system 102 may include a logical process modeltogether with dependency information. The logical process model maydefine a plurality of activities forming part of the process, and maydefine the relationship between activities, such as the sequence inwhich activities are performed, and/or rules determining choices betweenrespective activities. The dependency information may define processelements which contribute to performance of respective processactivities. The dependency information may include IT system dependencyinformation, which defines IT system elements, such as software andhardware components, contributing to respective activities. Thedependency information may further include human resource dependencyinformation, which defines particular human resources, people, orpersonnel contributing to respective activities. The dependencyinformation may also include, as part of the IT system dependencyinformation, datastore dependency information that indicates therelationship between respective activities and associated datastoresthat are accessed during execution of the respective activities. It isto be appreciated that, with respect to a particular activity, datastoredependency information specifies the relationship between the activityand datastores which are accessed in execution of the particularactivity. The dependency information may yet further include datadependency information which indicates dependency of process activitieson data in respective datastores which may be accessed in execution ofrespective activities, and/or data flow dependency information whichindicates process elements contributing to the flow of data intoparticular datastores.

The process management application(s) 120 further includes a graphicuser interface (GUI) module 200 to generate and manage an interactiveGUI to display various aspects of the process model, and to permit usermanagement of the process model. In instances where all the processes ofthe business system 140 are defined in a process model (e.g., instanceswhere the process model is an enterprise model), it is typically notpossible to display a representation of all of the processes and/or anentire business architecture in a single view, and the GUI will allowuser selection of different levels or layers of the enterprise model forviewing. Such drill-down functionality is described in greater detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 5-6.

A data input module 214 provides functionality to permit the input ofdata for use in process model analysis, process management, and thelike. Information defining performance metrics for particular SLAprofiles may, for example, be inputted via the data input module 214.The data input module 214 may be configured for manual input of thisinformation, and may instead or in addition provide for automaticintegration of, e.g., case data from other databases. For example,employee information may automatically be obtained from a HumanResources database (not shown) forming part of the business system 140.

The process management application(s) 120 further includes an SLAprofile module 208 to manage a plurality of SLA profiles, and to applyrespective applicable SLA profiles to the particular process instances.The SLA profile module 208 may be configured to facilitate, incooperation with the data input module 214, creation and/or editing ofthe plurality of SLA profiles. A user may thus use the SLA profilemodule 208 to define a number of process activities associated with aparticular SLA profile, and may specify performance metrics with respectto at least some of the process activities. The user may, instead or inaddition, specify a performance metric that applies to performance ofthe totality of process activities which are to be executed under theSLA profile. As used herein, the term “activity performance metric”refers to a performance metric that applies to a particular processactivity or to a particular subgrouping of process activities, while theterm “overall performance metric” refers to a performance metric thatapplies to the entirety of process activities that are to be executedunder the relevant SLA profile.

The SLA profile module 208 may further be configured to apply one of theplurality of SLA profiles to a particular process instance by, forexample, associating respective activity performance metrics withcorresponding process activities, and/or by associating an overallperformance metric with the particular process instance.

A user may thus provide, via the rules engine 202, performance metricsthat may, in some embodiments, be described as failure definitions whichspecify what constitutes failure of a particular process/activity. Therespective SLA profiles may specify, in measurable terms, contractualservice commitments describing the minimum performance criteria anassociated process is required to meet. Failure to comply with therequirements of an SLA may be specified as constituting failure of theassociated process. As used herein, the terms “SLA” and “SLA profile”relate not only to contractual commitments, but may in some embodimentsapply to performance goals that have not explicitly been agreed upon orcaptured in an explicit agreement. SLA profiles may, for example, beemployed for internal process management within an organization.

A rules engine 202 may be provided to determine a particular SLA profilethat is applicable to particular process instances. To this end, therules engine 202 may be configured to query case data relevant toparticular process instances, and to determine the respective applicableSLA profiles based on the case data. The rules engine 202 may thereforehave stored in association therewith SLA profile determination rulesdefining, with respect to each of the plurality of SLA profiles, a setof conditions which are to be met in order for the SLA profile to beapplicable to a particular process instance. The rules engine 202facilitates user definition of the SLA profile determination rules.

The rules engine 202 may further enable the definition of performanceindicators, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), in relation torespective processes or process activities. Such performance indicatorsserve to provide quantifiable performance measurement of an associatedprocess or process activity.

The process management application(s) 120 may include a workflow module220 that provides functionality for workflow management with respect toone or more processes. Such workflow functionality serves to identifyprogress of the process state of respective process instances, and mayautomate, at least to some degree, some aspects of the process. Theworkflow module 220 may additionally serve to assign process activitiesto particular human resource entities, to optimize the utilization ofprocess resources and/or to ensure satisfaction of SLA performancemetrics. In other embodiments, workflow functionality may be provided bya workflow application separate from the process managementapplication(s) 120, such as a workflow application, for example,executing on the application server(s) 118.

The workflow module 220 may further include a data gathering module 224to gather and collate information regarding the performance ofrespective processes and/or activities. To this end, the data gatheringmodule 224 may cooperate with monitoring applications (not shown)installed in each of the process servers 142, 144 and/or client machines(not shown) forming part of the business system 140. The system 102 maythus gather and record information regarding activities performed byrespective elements forming part of the business system 140. Data eventssuch as data synchronization, data collation, or data transfer betweendata repositories may be logged or recorded, to facilitate tracking ormonitoring of performance of the associated business activities.

To this end, the workflow module 220 may include a process monitoringmodule 206 to monitor performance of processes defined in the businessmodel. Data gathered by the data gathering module 224 may thusautomatically be compared to process activities which are scheduledaccording to the enterprise model, thereby to determine progress ofindividual process instances relative to an SLA profile applied to thatprocess instance. Such process monitoring may serve preemptively toidentify potential failure to meet the performance metrics of theapplied SLA profile. The process monitoring module 206 may furthercompile historical data regarding performance of individual processinstances.

To facilitate process management, the process management application(s)120 may include a load projection module 212 to calculate a projectedload on particular processes and/or activities defined in the enterprisemodel. By load is meant the amount of work which is performed by aprocess element at a particular point in time, or over a particularperiod. The load on a particular process element or process activitymay, for example, be calculated as a number of cases or processinstances which is scheduled to be processed. A “case” is an instance ofa process. For example, in a process for generating invoices, aparticular case or process instance may refer to a specific invoicegenerated for a particular customer. Load projection may be calculatedwith respect to a particular process step or activity, with respect to aspecified process or sub-process, with respect to a process group, orwith respect to the entirety of the enterprise model. The loadprojection module 212 may be configured to calculate the load projectionbased, in part, on current load information, which may be gathered bythe data gathering module 224.

The process management application(s) 120 may further include an SLAupdate module 230 to update or change an SLA applied to a particularprocess instance in-flight or during the performance of a processinstance. The SLA update module 230 may be configured to permitautomatic or selective updating of an applicable SLA profile. The SLAupdate module 230 may thus be configured to monitor case data associatedwith process instances during performance thereof, and automatically tochange an applied SLA profile if a change in the case data results in aSLA profile different from the initially determined applicable SLAprofile being applicable to the process instance. Instead, or inaddition, the SLA update module 230 may enable an operator to select aparticular process instance and to effect selective application of adifferent SLA profile to the process instance.

Data Structures

FIG. 3 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating various tables,data repositories, or databases that may be maintained within thedatabases 126 (FIG. 1), and that may be utilized by the processmanagement application(s) 120.

The databases 126 may include logical process model information 310, inthis example being in respect of a business process performed by meansof the business system 140. The logical process model information 310includes a logical process model 312 comprising structured data definingthe processes constituting the enterprise model, and showingrelationships between respective process activities constituting therespective processes. In the current example, the logical process model312 may be a logical process model defining the sequence of processactivities abstractly, without defining relationship of the activitiesor processes to process elements associated with operationalization ofthe process, which may be provided by the dependency information 302.

The database(s) 126 may further include SLA profile information defininga predefined plurality of SLA profiles that are potentially applicableto respective process instances of the process defined by the logicalprocess model 312. In the example embodiment described with reference toFIG. 3, the SLA profile information is described as being provided intwo separate data structures, namely, on the one hand, SLA profileinformation 314 comprising metadata associated with the logical processmodel 312, and, on the other hand, SLA profile information 330comprising SLA profile records stored in a data structure separate fromthe logical process model 312. In other embodiments, only one of thesetwo data structures may be provided, although both arrangements of SLAprofile information 314, 330 are described with reference to FIG. 3, forease of reference. It will be appreciated that, in yet furtherembodiments, any suitable SLA profile information data structure may beused in association with logical process model information 310. The SLAprofile information 330 may in some embodiments be stored in a separateSLA database.

The SLA profile information 314 may comprise SLA profile identifiers 316associated with respective process activities forming part of thelogical process model 312, to indicate an association between particularprocess activities and respective SLA profiles. At least some of theprocess activities in the logical process model 312 may therefore haveassociated therewith a plurality of SLA profile identifiers 316,indicating that those process activities may form part of any one of theSLA profiles indicated by the SLA profile identifiers 316. At least someof the SLA profiles are associated with a subset of process activitiesof the logical process model 312 for a particular process, in which caseonly the subset of process activities will have associated therewith therelevant SLA profile identifiers 316. The SLA profile information 314may also include performance metrics 318 comprising activity performancemetrics indicating performance metrics applicable to particular processactivities, and/or an overall performance metric applicable to anassociated process as a whole.

The SLA profile information 330 may comprise a plurality of SLA profiles332 or profile records, each of which comprises a list of activityidentifiers 334 that respectively identify process activities selectedfrom the logical process model 312 and forming part of the associatedSLA profile 332. The SLA profile information 330 further includesperformance metrics 336 associated with the respective activityidentifiers 334.

The SLA profile information 330 may further include SLA profile decisionrules 338 that define conditional expressions or decision rules todetermine applicability of particular SLA profiles 332 to respectiveinstances of the process. The SLA profile decision rules 338 may, forexample, specify certain conditions which are to be met in order for anaccelerated SLA profile to be applied to a process instance. In otherembodiments, the SLA profile decision rules 338 may be incorporated inthe rules engine 202 (FIG. 2), or may be stored integrally with the SLAprofile information 330, 314, or with the logical process model 312.

The database(s) 126 may also include case data 370 with respect to aplurality of cases or process instances to be performed by means of thebusiness system 140. Such case data 370 may include informationpertinent to business facts and entity information relating to eachprocess instance. For example, the case data 370 for a particularprocess instance may include identity details of a subject of theprocess instance, information regarding the client's income or paygrade, the client's credit rating, and other data that may be relevantto differentiating between a plurality of SLAs that are potentiallyapplicable to the process.

The databases 126 may also include dependency information 302 comprisingstructured information regarding dependencies of respective processesand/or process activities of the enterprise model. The dependencyinformation 302 includes IT system dependency information 304 thatcomprises information regarding process dependency on IT system elementsof the business system 140. The IT system dependency information 304 maythus include information regarding dependency of processes or activitieson software such as process applications 146, 148, as well as dependencyon IT infrastructure. The IT system dependency information 304 may alsoinclude datastore dependency information indicative of relationshipsbetween respective activities and datastores which are accessed inperformance of the respective activities. The IT system dependencyinformation 304 enables the generation of an interactive GUI displayingthose process applications and process servers on which a selectedprocess or process activity is dependent.

The dependency information 302 may further include human resourcesdependency information 306 in which is stored structured informationregarding the dependency of respective processes or process activitieson particular human resource components, such as people or personnel.The HR dependency information 306 may for example specify the job roleor personnel department responsible for the performance of a particularprocess activity.

Physical infrastructure dependency information 307 may also be includedin the dependency information 302 to indicate the dependency ofrespective process activities on physical infrastructure components.Such physical infrastructure components may include, for example,vehicles, machinery, supply-chain elements, buildings, and the like. Thedependency information 302 may also include data dependency information308 that indicates, for example, dependence of respective processactivities on particular data elements. The data dependency information308 may also indicate dependency of particular process activities on theage or staleness of data in associated datastores, the data flow historyof associated datastores as it relates to data quality, the referentialintegrity or data integrity of data in associated datastores, or thelike. The data dependency information 308 may additionally compriseinformation regarding process elements, such as process applications,process servers, personnel, and/or business processes which contributeto the flow of data into respective datastores accessed duringperformance of associated activities/processes, and upon which suchactivities/processes are therefore dependent for the availability and/orquality of data.

It will be appreciated that the logical process model information 310and the dependency information 302 together provide process modelinformation (or enterprise model information) defining a processarchitecture for the business system 140, the process architecturecomprising, on the one hand, the processes and activities defined by thelogical process model 312, and, on the other hand, information on theoperationalization of the processes and activities as defined by thedependency information 302.

Scheduling information 340 may be provided to facilitate process andworkflow management. The scheduling information may include:applications downtime schedules 342 indicating scheduled unavailabilityor downtime of process applications 146, 148; IT infrastructure downtimeschedules 344 indicating scheduled unavailability of IT infrastructureelements or components, such as process servers 142, 144; physicalinfrastructure schedules 345 indicating scheduled availability ofphysical infrastructure elements; and human resource schedules 346,which may include holiday calendars or personnel unavailabilityschedules, to indicate when personnel, people, or other human resourcecomponents supporting the process are scheduled for unavailability.

The databases 126 may furthermore include load information 350 regardinga current and a projected load on respective elements in the process. Inparticular, the load information 350 may include information onapplications load 352 indicative of current and projected load onprocess applications 146, 148; IT infrastructure load 354 indicative ofcurrent and projected loads on the IT infrastructure the business system140; physical infrastructure load 355 indicative of current andprojected loads on physical infrastructure elements; and informationregarding current and projected load on human resources 356. Provisionof the load information 350 facilitates analysis of the business processmodel, and may be particularly useful in load balancing and workflowmanagement.

FIG. 4 is a high-level entity relationship diagram of another exampleconfiguration of an enterprise model system 400. The system 400 mayinclude a computer 410 which may include a rules engine 202 to querycase data 370 with respect to a particular case or process instance, andautomatically to determine an applicable SLA profile for the processinstance based, at least in part, on the case data 370. To this end, thesystem 400 may include one or more memories or databases to store alogical process model 312, case data 370, and SLA profile information330. The SLA profile information 330 comprises a plurality of SLAprofiles 332 potentially applicable to the same process defined by thelogical process model 312. The SLA profile information 330 furtherincludes performance metrics 336 associated with the respective SLAprofiles 332. The system 400 further includes a SLA profile module 208to apply the applicable SLA profile 332, as determined by the rulesengine 202 (FIG. 2), to the process instance. Like numerals indicatelike elements in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4. It is to be noted that thedatabases or memories of FIG. 4 are illustrated as separate entities,but that the logical process model 312, the case data 370, and the SLAprofile information 330 can instead be stored in a single database, orin a greater number of dispersed databases, while the logical processmodel 312 may be stored either internally in the computer 410, or may bestored externally.

Flowcharts

The concepts described above will now be further explained by way ofexample with reference to extracts from example GUIs that may begenerated by the GUI module 200 according to an example embodiment. InFIG. 5, reference numeral 500 generally indicates an example graphicalrepresentation of a value chain diagram providing an overview of anexample process defined by an enterprise model. The value chainrepresents the chain of business activities that generate value for anenterprise. The example value chain diagram 500 is with respect to abusiness which provides credit services to customers. The value chaindiagram 500 represents a highest level of the enterprise model andcomprises, at the highest level, a series of organizational units. Inthis example, the value chain diagram 500 comprises the organizationalunits of Marketing 502; Customer Services, Operations andFinance/Accounting 504; Credit and Risk Management 506; and Collections508.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the value chain diagram 500 specifies thefunctional decomposition of each of the organizational units 502 to 508in respective series of functions or processes. Thus, for example, theorganizational unit of customer services, operations andfinance/accounting 504 is comprised of a series of functions orprocesses. A user can view further organizational details or functionaldecomposition of each of the functional processes constituting customerservices, operations and finance/accounting 504 by selecting theassociated function or process in the GUI. Organizational units may thusbe categorized by the function they perform. It is to be noted thatfunctions may be specific to a business domain/sub-domain, or may beshared across domains/sub-domains. For example, recruiting and otherhuman resource functions may be shared functions, while, for instance,warehouse operations may be specific to a sales and distribution area ofa large retailer.

In FIG. 6 reference numeral 600 generally indicates an exampleembodiment of a process with respect to which SLA differentiation may beemployed. The example process 600 is for a loan origination process andcomprises a series of process activities to generate and approve anapplication. Process 600 illustrates the logical sequence of theseprocess activities and is thus a graphic representation of logicalprocess model information 310 with respect to FIG. 3. The sequence ofactivities shown in FIG. 6 is a functional decomposition of the functionof Application Processing 510 in the value chain diagram 500 shown inFIG. 5. The diagram of FIG. 6 is thus a lower-level view of one of thefunctions forming part of the value chain diagram 500 of FIG. 5, and itwill be appreciated that each of the functions shown in FIG. 5 maysimilarly be viewed at a lower-level, or in greater magnification. SLAprofile differentiation as described herein may be provided with respectto processes or sub processes at any level of magnification orparticularization.

The process 600 comprises receiving a loan application and performingpreliminary processing, at operation 602, of the loan application. Thepreliminary processing comprises validation of details furnished by aloan applicant in the loan application, checking for completeness ofdocuments submitted by the applicant, as well as backgroundverifications. Thereafter, creditworthiness of the applicant is assessedin a credit scoring operation, at 604. Thereafter, pricing and dealstructuring is performed, at operation 606, by creating a completecredit package detailing repayment options, flexible interest rates, andthe like. The pricing and billing structuring operation 606 alsoincludes deciding whether a loan which is to be granted on theapplication is to function on risk-based pricing, or whether arelationship-based pricing scheme will be followed.

The organization then decides, at operation 608, whether or not to grantthe loan application, and underwriting of the loan is performed. Thisdecision is, however, reviewed at decision operation 610. If the loanapplication is approved, preparation for loan disbursal, at operation612, is commenced. If, however, the decision to grant the loanapplication is rejected, the loan applicant is apprised of suchrejection at operation 614.

Turning now to FIG. 7A, the flowchart indicates a method 700 forapplying SLA differentiation to the process 600 of FIG. 6. The method700 commences when the loan application is submitted, at operation 702.Thereafter, an applicable SLA profile is determined, at operation 704,by the rules engine 202 of FIG. 2.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 7A, two different SLA profiles 332 arepotentially applicable to the process 600 of FIG. 6. In particular, anormal SLA profile (“nt_profile”) or an expedited or fast profile(“ft_profile”) may be applied to respective instances of the process600. To this end, the SLA profile information 330 may include respectiveSLA profile records for these SLA profiles 332, comprising informationregarding the process activities and performance metrics or goals foreach process. Such information may be in the form of process activityidentifiers 334 and associated performance metrics 336 (see FIG. 3). Inthis embodiment, each performance metric 336 forming part of the SLAprofile 332 comprises a time limit or period within which the associatedprocess/process activity should be completed. Table 1 below showsexemplary SLA profile information 330 in the form of two SLA profilerecords for the SLA profiles nt_profile and ft_profile respectively:

TABLE 1 SLA Profile Performance metrics Ft_profile Total_ProcessSLA = 5d Preliminary_Process = 2 h Credit_Scoring = 1 d Pricing = 1 dCredit_Decision = 3 h Prepare_Disbursal = 1 d Appraise_Applicant = 5 hNt_profile Total_ProcessSLA = 10 d Preliminary_Process = 5 hCredit_Scoring = 2 d Pricing = 2 d Credit_Decision = 3 hPrepare_Disbursal = 3 d Appraise_Applicant = 1 d

From Table 1, it can be seen that each SLA profile 332 includes anoverall performance metric with respect to the process as a whole, aswell as activity performance metrics with respect to individual processactivities. The total process 600 is to be performed in five days inaccordance with the fast SLA profile (ft_profile), while thecorresponding overall performance metric for the normal SLA profile(nt_profile) is 10 days. The respective activity performance metrics forindividual process activities or steps may likewise be different for thedifferent SLA profiles 332. Thus, for instance, the performance goal orparameter for the process activity of preliminary processing of the loanapplication, at operation 602, is two hours for the fast profile(ft_profile), but it is five hours for the normal profile (nt_profile);the performance metric for pricing and deal structuring, at operation606, is one day for the fast SLA profile, but it is two days for thenormal profile, and so forth.

Which of the above described SLA profiles 332 applies to a particularinstance or case of the process 600 depends on the particulars of aprocess instance, which are contained in associated case data 370 (seeFIG. 3). To this end, referring now to FIG. 7A, case data is 370captured upon loan application submission, at operation 702. The casedata 370 may reflect details or information pertaining to entitiesassociated with the process instance or case. In the present exampleembodiment, the case data 370 includes information indicating whetherthe applicant or proposed borrower is a salaried individual, isself-employed, or is a “high net worth individual,” as defined in thesystem 102. In some embodiments, some case data variables may be limitedto selection from a set of predetermined options. Data entry compliancemay be enforced by obligating an operator submitting or processing theloan application to enter a variable for a particular characteristic(such as an income type), and by limiting entry of such variables toselection from the predetermined set of options, e.g., by way of adrop-down menu.

In the example embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7A, the case data 370 furtherincludes data on the applicant's employment term (i.e., how long theapplicant has been employed by their current employer) and theapplicant's annual income. The loan applicant is also referred to hereinas the borrower.

Example SLA profile decision rules 338 (applicable to the SLA profiles332 reflected in Table 1) are shown in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 Condition Action borrowerType = “Salaried” and SLAProfile =“ft_profile” else yearsinemployement > 5 and SLAProfile = “nt_profile”yrlyIncome > 1000000 INR BorrowerType = “HighNetWorth” SLAProfile =“ft_profile”

The rules engine 202 executes, at operation 704, the SLA profiledecision rules 338 to determine the applicable SLA profile for aparticular process instance. If, for a particular case, the loanapplicant is a salaried individual earning more than $100,000 a year,and has been employed for more than five years, the fast SLA profile(“ft_profile”) is applicable to the case. If the loan applicant is a“high net worth individual” as defined by process prerequisites, thefast SLA profile (“ft_profile”) is likewise identified as beingapplicable to the process instance or case. If, however, the borrower isnot salaried or has been in employment for less than five years or hasan annual income below $100,000, and is not a “high net worthindividual,” then the normal SLA profile (“nt_profile”) is identified asbeing applicable to the process instance.

After identifying the applicable SLA profile, the SLA profile module 208recovers the applicable SLA profile information 330, in particular therespective process and/or process activity performance metrics 336, atoperation 706, and applies the performance metrics 336 to thecorresponding process activities, at operation 708.

The process 600 is thereafter executed for the particular case, atoperation 710, with the respective performance metrics 336 of theapplicable SLA profile 332. The system 102 monitors SLA compliance basedon the performance metrics 336 of the applicable SLA profile 332, whilecaseload management and caseload projection are likewise based on theapplicable SLA profile 332.

It may occur that changes in business facts or case data result in adifferent SLA profile 332 being applicable to a process instance duringexecution of the process 600. In such instances, the method 700 may insome circumstances comprise altering the applicable SLA profile 332 andapplying performance metrics 336 of an altered or different SLA profileto remaining process activities. Such midstream or in-flight SLA profilealteration is shown schematically in FIG. 7B.

During execution of the process instance for which an applicable SLAprofile 332 has been determined and applied, a change in business factsor case data, at operation 720, may require an SLA profile change. If,for example, the loan applicant previously earned less than $100,000 ayear and was thus assigned the normal SLA profile (nt_profile), but nowreceives a raise and earns more than $100,000 a year, the fast SLAprofile (ft_profile) should now apply to the process instance for thatloan applicant. In some cases, the change in business facts giving riseto a change in SLA profile is automatically discoverable, as illustratedby decision operation 724. For example, the SLA profile module 208 orSLA update module 230 may be in communication with or may monitor casedata 370 stored in, for example, an applicant or employee databasehaving information with respect to salaries for loan applicants. Whenthe salary of the loan applicant in the current example thus crosses the$100,000 threshold, the SLA update module 230 may automatically identifythis status change, at operation 728, and may generate an SLA changeprompt or SLA change event.

In response to such an SLA change prompt, the SLA profile module 208 mayautomatically determine a newly applicable SLA profile 332, at operation732, and may retrieve the performance metrics 336 for the new ordifferent SLA profile 332. Thereafter, the new or changed SLA profile332 may be applied to remaining process activities, at operation 760.

However, business facts changes may, in some embodiments, not beautomatically discoverable. In such instances, a human operator mayidentify a need for SLA profile change, at operation 736, and may thenmanually apply a changed SLA profile to the process instance. Theoperator may thus manually select the appropriate process instance, atoperation 740, for example through operation of the workflow module 220for a workflow application which manages performance of a multiplicityof instances of the process 600. The operator may then select a newlyapplicable SLA profile 332, at operation 744. In other embodiments, theoperator may manually trigger recalculation of the applicable SLAprofile 332 by the rules engine 202, based on altered case data.Thereafter, the newly applicable SLA profile 332 is applied to remainingprocess activities of the relevant process instance, at operation 760.

In process instances where an in-flight SLA profile change is effected,an instance of the process may thus be implemented with some processactivities subjected to the associated performance metrics of one SLAprofile 332 (e.g. the nt_profile), and other process activitiessubjected to respective performance metrics of another SLA profile 332(e.g. the ft_profile). Moreover, it will be appreciated that, in someinstances, an overall performance metric of the newly applicable SLAprofile 332 with respect to the entire process 600 may no longer beattainable when the newly applicable SLA profile 332 is applied, inwhich case the overall performance metric may be inoperative. Forexample, if the nt_profile is initially applied to the process 600 ofFIG. 6 for a particular instance, a process completion metric or overallperformance metric is initially 10 days. If, however, the SLA profile332 is changed to the ft_profile by, e.g., six days after commencementof the process instance, the ft_profile overall performance metric offive days can no longer be met. In such cases, the individual activitymetrics are merely applied to the associated remaining processactivities.

In some embodiments, at least some of the SLA profiles of a plurality ofSLA profiles 332 that are potentially applicable to a process may beconfigured to select, from a common logical process model 312, a subsetof process activities that are to be performed in execution of theprocess instance. The particular sequence of process activities that areto be executed is in such cases dependent on the particular SLA profile332 which is applied to that process instance, so that differentinstances of the process, having different SLA profiles 332 appliesthereto, may comprise a different sequence of activities or operations.Nevertheless, the process activities are in each instance selected froma common logical process model 312 based on the respective SLA profiles332.

An example embodiment of common logical process model information in theform of a common logical process model for an example process 800 shownschematically in FIG. 8. The travel management process 800 is a processfor the booking of accommodation and travel arrangements in response toemployee request therefor. The process 800 again has associatedtherewith two SLA profiles 332 identified as a normal profile(nt_profile) and a fast profile (ft_profile). The sequence of operationsperformed by a process instance to which the nt_profile is applied isshown in FIG. 8 as being connected by solid line arrows, while thesequence of operations to be performed by a process instance to whichthe ft_profile is applied is shown as being connected by dashed linearrows. The sequence of process activities for the nt_profile will bedescribed first.

A process instance begins when a request for travel and accommodation isreceived, at operation 804. The application is thereafter reviewed by afirst level approver, at operation 808. If approved by the first levelapprover, the application is reviewed by a second level approver, atoperation 812. Thereafter, the applicant's eligibility for a hotelbooking is checked, at operation 816, and it is determined whether theapplicant is eligible for hotel booking at operation 820.

If the applicant is eligible for hotel booking, a ticket and hotel isbooked and the applicant is notified thereof, at operation 840. If,however, the applicant is not eligible for hotel booking, additionalapproval is requested, at operation 824. If additional approval isgranted, at decision operation 828, a ticket and hotel are booked, atoperation 840, and the applicant is notified thereof. If, however, theadditional approval is denied at decision operation 828, only a ticket,but not the hotel, is booked at operation 832, and the applicant isnotified thereof.

In contrast, some of the process steps or activities in the travelmanagement process 800 will be bypassed in process instances to whichthe ft_profile is applied. In such instances, receipt of the travel andaccommodation request, at operation 804, is followed by first levelreview and approval, at operation 808, and thereafter directly by ticketand hotel booking and applicant notification, at operation 840.Therefore, when the ft_profile is applied to a process instance, atleast operations such as second-level approval (operation 812), andchecking for hotel booking eligibility (operation 816) are bypassed. Insome instances, additional operations such as request for additionalapproval (operation 824) are also bypassed, in the sense that it is anoperation that would have been performed for the associated applicant,had the nt_profile been applied to that process instance.

It will thus be seen that the process activities that are executed underthe ft_profile constitute a subset of the common logical process model,and, in the particular example embodiment, is a subset of processactivities performed under the nt_profile.

Although both the above-mentioned example embodiments have performancemetrics comprising time goals, other embodiments may have differenttypes of performance metrics such as, for example, cost, product/servicequality, and the like, as well as combinations thereof.

The rules engine 202 may be configured to determine an applicable SLAprofile for the example embodiment of FIG. 8 based on an employee rate.In this example, the ft_profile is applied to employees having anemployee grade (which is internal to the relevant organization) higherthan “E5,” while the nt_profile is applied to employees having anemployee grade lower than or equal to “E5.” As is the case with theexample process 600, and as schematic illustrated in method 700, theapplicable SLA profile 332 may be changed in-flight during execution ofa particular instance of process 800. If, for example, an employee'sgrade changes from E5 to E6 during the course of a process instance, theapplicable SLA profile 332 may likewise be changed from the normal track(nt_profile) to the fast track (ft_profile).

In instances where a current status or progress of the process instanceis at an activity that forms part of a currently applicable SLA profile332 but does not form part of the process under a newly applicable SLAprofile 332, the process may progress to the activity immediatelyfollowing the most advanced completed activity under the newlyapplicable SLA profile 332. For example, if, in the travel managementprocess 800, a process instance executed under the nt_profile iscurrently at the stage of second-level review and approval, at operation812, or is at the stage of requesting additional approval, at operation824, and is then changed to the ft_profile, that particular instance ofthe process 800 may directly be changed, by the workflow module 220, tothe booking and notification activity, at operation 840.

Modules, Components and Logic

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied (1) on a non-transitorymachine-readable medium or (2) in a transmission signal) orhardware-implemented modules. A hardware-implemented module is atangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, oneor more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computersystem) or one or more processors may be configured by software (e.g.,an application or application portion) as a hardware-implemented modulethat operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware-implemented module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware-implementedmodule may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanentlyconfigured (e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC)) to perform certain operations. A hardware-implementedmodule may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., asencompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmableprocessor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certainoperations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement ahardware-implemented module mechanically, in dedicated and permanentlyconfigured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g.,configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware-implemented module” should be understoodto encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarily ortransitorily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certainmanner and/or to perform certain operations described herein.Considering embodiments in which hardware-implemented modules aretemporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of thehardware-implemented modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware-implementedmodules comprise a general-purpose processor configured using software,the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware-implemented modules at different times. Software mayaccordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute aparticular hardware-implemented module at one instance of time and toconstitute a different hardware-implemented module at a differentinstance of time.

Hardware-implemented modules can provide information to, and receiveinformation from, other hardware-implemented modules. Accordingly, thedescribed hardware-implemented modules may be regarded as beingcommunicatively coupled. Where multiple of such hardware-implementedmodules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved throughsignal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) thatconnect the hardware-implemented modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware-implemented modules are configured or instantiated atdifferent times, communications between such hardware-implementedmodules may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrievalof information in memory structures to which the multiplehardware-implemented modules have access. For example, onehardware-implemented module may perform an operation, and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware-implemented module may then,at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process thestored output. Hardware-implemented modules may also initiatecommunications with input or output devices, and can operate on aresource (e.g., a collection of information).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of amethod may be performed by one or processors or processor-implementedmodules. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributedamong the one or more processors, not only residing within a singlemachine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some exampleembodiments, the processor or processors may be located in a singlelocation (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment or as aserver farm), while in other embodiments the processors may bedistributed across a number of locations.

The one or more processors may also operate to support performance ofthe relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a“software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of theoperations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples ofmachines including processors), these operations being accessible via anetwork (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces(e.g., Application Program Interfaces (APIs).)

Electronic Apparatus and System

Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry,or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them.Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program product,e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier,e.g., in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor,a computer, or multiple computers.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, subroutine,or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiplecomputers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or moreprogrammable processors executing a computer program to performfunctions by operating on input data and generating output. Methodoperations can also be performed by, and apparatus of exampleembodiments may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry,e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC).

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. Inembodiments deploying a programmable computing system, it will beappreciated that that both hardware and software architectures requireconsideration. Specifically, it will be appreciated that the choice ofwhether to implement certain functionality in permanently configuredhardware (e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., acombination of software and a programmable processor), or a combinationof permanently and temporarily configured hardware may be a designchoice. Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and softwarearchitectures that may be deployed, in various example embodiments.

Example Machine Architecture and Machine-Readable Medium

FIG. 9 is a high-level view of another embodiment of a method 900 toprovide SLA differentiation in implementation of a process. The method900 comprises, at operation 904, automatically querying case data 370(FIG. 3) with respect to a particular process instance that is to beperformed with support of a process management system which includes alogical process model 312 comprising a logically structured series ofprocess activities constituting the process. The method 900 furthercomprises the automated operation of, at operation 908, determining anapplicable SLA profile 332 for the particular process instance based atleast in part on the case data 370. The applicable SLA profile 332 isselected from a plurality of SLA profiles 332 that applies to a singleprocess modeled by the logical process model 312, so that the logicalprocess model 312 is common to the plurality of SLA profiles 332.

The method 900 may further comprise applying the applicable SLA profile332 to the particular process instance, at operation 912, automaticallyassociating with at least some process activities selected from thelogical process model 312 respective performance metrics 336corresponding to the applicable SLA profile 332.

FIG. 10 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system 1000 within which a set of instructions forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein may be executed. In alternative embodiments, themachine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g.,networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-clientnetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. The machine may be a server computer,a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box(STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a webappliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a singlemachine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more ofthe methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1000 includes a processor 1002 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both),a main memory 1004 and a static memory 1006, which communicate with eachother via a bus 1008. The computer system 1000 may further include avideo display unit 1010 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or acathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1000 also includes analphanumeric input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1014 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1016, a signal generationdevice 1018 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 1020.

The disk drive unit 1016 includes a machine-readable medium 1022 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 1024)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein. The software 1024 may also reside, completely or at leastpartially, within the main memory 1004 and/or within the processor 1002during execution thereof by the computer system 1000, the main memory1004 and the processor 1002 also constituting machine-readable media.

The software 1024 may further be transmitted or received over a network1026 via the network interface device 1020.

While the machine-readable medium 1022 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to,solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media.

Thus, a method and system to manage a process and provide SLAdifferentiation with respect to a common logical process model has beendescribed. Although the present disclosure has been with reference tospecific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the method and/or system.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.81.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments comprise more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

1. A system comprising: at least one memory to store a logical processmodel defining a logically structured series of process activities in aprocess, and Service Level Agreement (SLA) profile information defininga predefined plurality of SLA profiles which are potentially applicableto respective process instances of a process defined by a logicalprocess model comprising a logically structured series of processactivities, each SLA profile comprising at least one performance metricwith respect to the process and/or at least one of the processactivities; a rules engine to query case data with respect to aparticular process instance, and automatically to determine anapplicable SLA profile for the particular process instance based atleast in part on the case data, the applicable SLA profile beingselected from the predefined plurality of SLA profiles; and a computerincluding an SLA profile module to apply the applicable SLA profile tothe particular process instance.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theSLA profile module is configured such that application of the applicableSLA profile to the particular process instance comprises automaticallyassociating with at least some process activities selected from thelogical process model respective activity performance metricscorresponding to the applicable SLA profile, the logical process modelbeing common to the predefined plurality of SLA profiles in that the atleast some process activities are selected from the common logicalprocess model irrespective of which one of the predefined plurality ofSLA profiles is determined to be the applicable SLA profile.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the SLA profile module is configured toselect from the common logical process model, based on the applicableSLA profile, a subset of process activities which are to be performed inexecution of the particular process instance.
 4. The system of claim 2,in which each SLA profile comprises a set of process activityidentifiers and associated activity performance metrics.
 5. The systemof claim 4, wherein the set of process activity identifiers for at leastone of the SLA profiles comprises all of the process activities of thecommon logical process model.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the setof process activity identifiers for at least one of the SLA profilescomprises a subset of the process activities of the common logicalprocess model.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the logical processmodel comprises metadata associated with at least some processactivities forming part of the logical process model, to indicateassociations between process activities and SLA profiles, metadataassociated with at least one process activity indicating a plurality ofSLA profiles with which the at least one process activity is associated.8. The system of claim 1, wherein the SLA profile module is configuredsuch that application of the applicable SLA profile to the particularprocess instance comprises automatically associating an overallperformance metric with the particular process instance.
 9. The systemof claim 2, further comprising an SLA update module to apply a differentSLA profile to the particular process instance during performance of theparticular process instance, subsequent to initial application of theapplicable SLA profile to the particular process instance.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the SLA update module is configured toautomatically associate with one or more remaining process activitiesrespective activity performance metrics corresponding to the differentSLA profile.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the SLA update module isconfigured to automatically determine, in response to a change in thecase data for the particular process instance, that an SLA profile otherthan the previously determined applicable SLA profile is applicable tothe particular process instance, and automatically to apply thedifferent SLA profile to the particular process instance.
 12. The systemof claim 9, wherein the SLA update module is configured to receive userinput indicating a desired change in SLA profile, and to apply thedifferent SLA profile to the particular process instance in response tothe user input.
 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising thelogical process model defining the logically structured series ofprocess activities comprising the process.
 14. A method comprising:querying case data with respect to a particular process instance of aprocess which is to be performed with support of a process managementsystem, the process management system including a logical process modeldefining a logically structured series of process activitiesconstituting the process; using one or more processors, automaticallydetermining an applicable Service Level Agreement (SLA) profile for theparticular process instance based at least in part on the case data, theapplicable SLA profile being selected from a predefined plurality of SLAprofiles which are potentially applicable to respective processinstances of the process defined by the logical process model, each SLAprofile comprising at least one performance metric with respect to theprocess and/or at least one of the process activities; and applying theapplicable SLA profile to the particular process instance.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein applying the applicable SLA profile to theparticular process instance comprises automatically associating with atleast some process activities selected from the logical process modelrespective activity performance metrics corresponding to the applicableSLA profile, the logical process model being common to the predefinedplurality of SLA profiles in that the at least some process activitiesare selected from the common logical process model irrespective of whichone of the predefined plurality of SLA profiles is determined to be theapplicable SLA profile.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingselecting from the common logical process model, based on the applicableSLA profile, a subset of process activities which are to be performed inexecution of the particular process instance.
 17. The method of claim15, in which each SLA profile comprises a set of process activityidentifiers and associated activity performance metrics.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the set of process activity identifiers for atleast one of the SLA profiles comprises all of the process activities ofthe common logical process model.
 19. The method of claim 17, whereinthe set of process activity identifiers for at least one of the SLAprofiles comprises a subset of the process activities of the commonlogical process model.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the logicalprocess model comprises metadata associated with at least some processactivities forming part of the logical process model, to indicateassociations between process activities and SLA profiles, metadataassociated with at least one process activity indicating a plurality ofSLA profiles with which the at least one process activity is associated.21. The method of claim 14, wherein applying the applicable SLA profileto the particular process instance comprises automatically associatingan overall performance metric with the particular process instance. 22.The method of claim 15, further comprising applying a different SLAprofile to the particular process instance during performance of theparticular process instance, subsequent to initial application of theapplicable SLA profile to the particular process instance.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein applying the different SLA profile to theparticular process instance comprises automatically associating with oneor more remaining process activity respective activity performancemetrics corresponding to the different SLA profile.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein applying the different SLA profile to the particularprocess instance is preceded by automatically determining, in responseto a change in the case data for the particular process instance, thatan SLA profile other than the previously determined applicable SLAprofile is applicable to the particular process instance.
 25. The methodof claim 22, wherein applying the different SLA profile to theparticular process instance is in response to receiving user inputindicating a desired change in SLA profile.
 26. A non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium storing instructions which, whenperformed by a machine, cause the machine to: query case data withrespect to a particular process instance of a process which is to beperformed with support of a process management system, the processmanagement system including a logical process model defining a logicallystructured series of process activities constituting the process;automatically determine an applicable Service Level Agreement (SLA)profile for the particular process instance based at least in part onthe case data, the applicable SLA profile being selected from apredefined plurality of SLA profiles which are potentially applicable torespective process instances of the process defined by the logicalprocess model, each SLA profile comprising at least one performancemetric with respect to the process and/or at least one of the processactivities; and apply the applicable SLA profile to the particularprocess instance.
 27. A system comprising: means for querying case datawith respect to a particular process instance of a process which is tobe performed with support of a process management system, the processmanagement system including a logical process model defining a logicallystructured series of process activities constituting the process; meansfor automatically determining an applicable Service Level Agreement(SLA) profile for the particular process instance based at least in parton the case data, the applicable SLA profile being selected from apredefined plurality of SLA profiles which are potentially applicable torespective process instances of the process defined by the logicalprocess model, each SLA profile comprising at least one performancemetric with respect to the process and/or at least one of the processactivities; and means for applying the applicable SLA profile to theparticular process instance.